FEAR : THE REMEDIES ... Swami Purushottamananda

It is most essential therefore, that youngsters take appropriate steps to wipe off this blot on their personality - the blot of Fear and Cowardice.

1.  Clarity of thought  is the most useful tool in dispelling fear.  You must be able to analyse circumstances and experiences in your own life, boldly and impartially.  In order to learn to think clearly and analyse meaningfully, you will have to associate with brave, wise men who know how to do it.

        It is essential to live in an atmosphere which is throbbing with bravery and confidence and courage in order to imbibe these faculties.  Such wise men create this kind of an atmosphere around themselves.  The environment itself will have a tremendous positive impact on your mind and the personal influence of these elders will gradually bring about a revolution in your mind.

2. Never give expression  to your fears even if they enter your heart once in a while.  Use your willpower and forcefully throw out the thoughts that cause fear immediately.  And vigorously recall strength-giving ideas, especially Swami Vivekananda's words.

       Give your mind some strong auto-suggestions such as :  I am bold, I am strong.

       Giving expression to fear through words or gestures only enhances it all the more.  And it will provoke others to take undue advantage of your fearful state.  Once you get into a lower position in the eyes of others and allow them to bully you it will be very difficult for your to set yourself again to a state on par with them.

3.  Fill up your mind with powerful ideas  and healthy, positive thoughts.  Always think and speak of boldness, bravery and courage.  Read strength-giving literature.

       You will have to read powerful ideas and assimilate them.  Swami Viveka- nanda, the epitome of Strength and Courage Incarnate, has bequeathed a priceless legacy of strength and courage in the form of his letters and lectures.  You must make a sincere effort to study this literature - a veritable treasure-house of power.  This is a study that will open new horizons before your mind and introduce you to many new and powerful ideas.  Allow Swami Vivekananda's ideas to just enter your mind once and then watch for yourself how your personality will get transformed.

4.  Never sit idle when some fear arises in your heart.  If you sit idle, you will start brooding over it.  That will only enhance the fear in your heart.  The popular proverb - " an idle mind is the devil's workshop" has great truth in it.  This proverb actually explains the state of our own mind!  So, when fear arises in your heart, don't sit idle.  Get up at once and do one of the following:

  a.  Start reading Swami Vivekananda's words of strength and hope.

  b.   Take up some constructive and creative activity.

  c.  Go to some dependable elders you know and spend some time in their elevating  presence.

  d.   Take deep breaths rhythmically and do some methodical exercises.

  e.  Pray intensely to God in whichever form you like.

5.  If you want to achieve success in overcoming fear, there are certain rotten personal habits you must avoid at all costs:

  a.  Wandering about doing nothing

  b.  Losing yourself in idle gossip

  c.  Brooding over your weaknesses

  d.  Postponing your duties

  e.  Lingering in an undecided state of mind.

       All of these exhaust the brain, weaken the mind, and drain all your energies, leaving the inner core of your personality greatly damaged.

      A more detailed list of remedies is given later.

 

 

       

FEAR : THE CAUSE... Swamy Purushottamananda

More and more students are developing various fear complexes and phobias than ever before.  In all aspects of their life, fear seems to be stopping them from going ahead.  Often, they are found to be afraid for no apparent reason.  Many students again, are afraid for reasons which they cannot express to others.  Even those in the prime of their youth are found to be devoid of courage and a spirit of adventure.  Swami Vivekananda thundered, "I want iron wills and hearts that do not know how to quake."  But, alas! youths who should actually radiate energy and be filled with bravery and courage are often seen to exhibit their opposite qualities!  When a challenging situation comes up, by taking part in which, these youths could develop these positive qualities in their personality, they are found to be strangely backing out beating a retreat and accepting failure, all in a queer and stupid manner.  What is the reason?  Lack of Self-Confidence.

 ***

A weak body is the root cause for this lack of Self-Confidence.  Added to this weak body is a weak mind that further complicates the matter.  A weak mind is a safe heaven for fear and cowardice.  "I am inclined to believe that one who is a coward will be born after death as an insect or a worm..." said Swami Vivekananda.  A young mind is a storehouse of unbounded energy and enthusiasm.  And this great curse of weakness is ruining it and destroying personalities.  So, students must recognise the reasons for the ruin of their personality and make the best use of time in their formative years.

***

As a student, you should know that it is quite possible to overcome fear.  The sooner this conviction comes to your, the better.

Do Gods get angry?...Francis Gonsalves

DELHI CHIEF MINISTER Sheila Dikshit's comment: "Aisa lagta hai ki Indra devta humse kuch naraz hain" - meaning, "Indra seems unhappy with us" - absolving herself for not meeting the Commonwealth Games (CWG) deadline for completion of constructions was amusing.  And got me thinking.  There's a lot in Delhi for Indra devta to be naraz about, I mused.

***

The Bible tells of a time long ago when God was naraz.  God "was sorry that he had made humankind on the earth" (Genesis 6:6).  The text adds: "It grieved God to his heart...   God saw that the wickedness of humankind was great on the earth and that the thoughts of the human heart were only evil continually" (6:5).  God decided: "I will 

The Spirit of Cleanliness...V. Balakrishnan

BRUSHING OUR teeth is something we do every morning without sparing a second thought.  But like each and every act of daily life, this too had come under the keen observation of the sages of the past.  And like many other daily acts, they prescribed a routine for cleaning our teeth too.

***

Accordingly, before cleaning the teeth, one has to hold water in mouth, gargle well and spit it out.  While doing this, bow your head Dto the left side, for there are rishis in front of us and devas on our right side.  As per old beliefs, the left side alone is vacant.

***

Now start brushing.  Take a small, green twig of neem, red mandaram, fig or mango tree, beat its head with a stone and brush with this softened end.  this prescription appears in Devi Bhagavatham also.

***

However, on certain days like Vavu, Prathama, Shashti, Navami, Ekadasi etc, this sort of brushing is not permitted.  On these days, gargling 12 times with fresh water will do.

***

While brushing, mentally chant the prayer:

"Annadyaya vyoohadhwamse somorajayamagamatu

Samemukham prakshalyate yasasa cha bhagena cha

Ayurbalam yasorvarcha: pasuvasooni chabrahma

Prajnjancha medhancha twannodehi vanaspathe"

In Kerala, Sankarasmriti does not encourage people to brush using these twigs.  According to the text, burnt chaff or leaves of the mango tree are preferable to twigs.

***

Householders should not brush their teeth on Sundays and Tuesdays.  There is also a taboo on brushing one's teeth on birthdays, Prathipadam.  Chaturdasi etc as well.  However, no such restrictions are binding on Mondays.  It is a must-day for brushing!

***

Like wise, the texts warn us not to brush our teeth facing southwards.  You can face east or northeast while brushing your teeth.

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ONE MAY wonder why there are specific instructions with regard to trifles like brushing one's teeth.

***

Traditional beliefs and observances have something remarkable in them and that is why they persisted so long.  For one, these prescriptions urge us to do justice to great beings.  And, more importantly, they indicate that no task is mundane.

***

In Yajanavalkya Smriti, for instance, bathing is mainly classified into Mukhyam and Gaunam, and these have six and seven sub-divisions respectively.  All auspicious acts are supposed to bath.  Otherwise they don't incur any results.  Hence, one has tobegin the day with bathing.

***

However, there is restriction on bathing on certain days like Ahashti, Ashtami, and newmoon.  Likewise, one should not take bath immediately after food, while suffering from diseases and at mid-night.  Dip-bath in water bodies or bathing in medicinal water is recommended.

***

While bathing in a lake or river one has to imagine the presence of holy river Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati and worship them uttering the shloka:

"Gangae cha Yamunae chaiva Godavari Saraswathi Narmada Sindhu Kaveri Theertho asmin samindin kuru"

After taking bath, one should stand in water and undertake certain observances to please the deities.  Then drying your hair and body, again as per specific prescriptions, you can return home.

***

These restrictions and prescriptions succeeded in ensuring personal and social wellness apart from imposing habits of hygiene on our ancestors......

.................DR VENGANOOR BALAKRISHNANAN... is the author of Thaliyola, a book on Hindu beliefs and rituals.  He has also written books on the Vedas and Upanishads.  The author can be reached at ...DRVENGANOOR@YAHOO.CO.IN.